DONALD TRUMP’S election was so unexpected that Newsweek was forced to recall over 100,000 copies of a special commemorative edition featuring Hillary Clinton under the headline ‘Madam President’.

Pollsters and pundits across the world were left flabbergasted after Mr Trump swept to victory as Mrs Clinton’s campaign failed in critical swing states.

Newsweek and a publishing partner prematurely shipped out 125,000 copies of the souvenir issue to newsstands across the US ahead of the election result.

Speaking to Sky News, Newsweek’s editor in chief Jim Impoco said: “It is quite astonishing, no one saw this coming.

“The polling was so overwhelmingly in Hillary Clinton’s favour we went ahead and made a magazine I hope none of you will ever see.”

SKY NEWS•GETTY

Hillary Clinton's electoral defeat to pundits and pollsters by surprise

At this point in the discussion he held up the copy of Newsweek which was recalled.

Impoco added: “This [the magazine] was first cited as evidence by the Donald Trump camp that the election was rigged now it is simply cited as evidence that we are stupid.”

Mr Trump will meet Barack Obama on Thursday for talks on the transition of power as an anxious world continues to digest his astonishing victory.

There were protests against his election across the US on Wednesday night, with crowds in New York chanting "not my president" outside his Manhattan residence, Trump Tower.

The victor will head to the White House on Thursday as president-elect for talks with Mr Obama, who will hand over power in January.

The controversial tycoon is also expected to have a conversation with Theresa May "at the earliest opportunity" as the world waits on tenterhooks for signs of what a Trump presidency means for global politics.

SKY NEWS

Newsweek editor in chief Jim Impoco holds up the now infamous cover

It is quite astonishing, no one saw this coming

Newsweek’s editor in chief Jim Impoco

Downing Street confirmed the Prime Minister is preparing for a phone call with Mr Trump as the "special relationship" between the UK and US begins a new chapter.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest has also insisted Mr Obama would be sincere about ensuring a smooth handover when he meets Mr Trump, although he added: "I'm not saying it's going to be an easy meeting."

Despite calls for unity from Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama, Mr Trump's win sparked protests in several US states.

The former reality TV star's comments about Muslims, his calls to build a wall to keep Mexican migrants out, and secretly taped recordings of him joking about sexual assault are among the controversies that have attracted widespread and deep opposition.

Anti-Trump protests erupt worldwide

Wed, November 30, 2016

Trump win sparks riots across US as crowds burn American flag and chant 'Not our president'